Rams GM Les Snead ‘not buying’ Aaron Donald retirement rumors

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If Aaron Donald really is contemplating retirement, it comes as a surprise to Rams general manager Les Snead.

After two weeks of a win-one-for-Donald rallying cry among the Rams, NBC analyst Rodney Harrison explained why just hours before kickoff of Super Bowl 2022 when he reported the 30-year-old future Hall of Famer was considering walking away from football if the Rams won.

It matched up with Donalds own pregame admission that he had nothing left to accomplish other than adding a Super Bowl to his rsum, which includes seven All-Pro selections and three Defensive Player of the Year awards in eight seasons.

Not so fast, however.

Hell sleep on it and see, but I’m not buying it, Snead told NFL.com. Hes a young kid. Hell get bored and need something to do.

Donald wouldnt be the first future Hall of Famer to be enticed by early retirement. Former Lions greats Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson both took that path.

Aaron Donald (l.) And Les Snead (r.) Celebrate after the Rams win Super Bowl 2022 on Feb. 13, 2022.Getty Images

For his part, Donald talked around questions about retirement in postgame interviews. He said he was going to live in the moment for a few days, choosing not to confirm or deny the reports.

Cynics might say this is an elaborate ploy for a new contract, as other pro athletes have leveraged retirement to force an extension. Donald is the NFLs fifth-highest-paid defensive player by average salary ($ 22.5 million) on a six-year, $ 135 million contract running through 2024.

NBC’s Rodney Harrison reported on the pregame show that Aaron Donald might retire if the Rams won Super Bowl 2022, which they did.Getty Images

Hes done everything you could possibly do, teammate Von Miller said of Donald, but this feeling right here, theres nothing like it. Its addictive. Coming to the Super Bowl is one thing, but winning it is different. This feeling is great, it just makes you want it more and more and more. But hes definitely capping off a great career if he chooses to do that. But this is an addictive feeling, man, and I just cant see him walking away from this.

Miller won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos and added his second ring with the Rams.

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